A menstrual period lasting dozens of days, resulting in the loss of nearly half the body's blood volume, can be life-threatening. Delaying medical attention by just half an hour could lead to death from excessive blood loss. This was the experience of a 19-year-old girl in Guangzhou. While ultimately diagnosed with aplastic anemia, her case serves as a stark reminder for all women to pay close attention to any irregularities in their menstrual cycles.Menstruation is not only a sign of a girl's maturation but also a key indicator of female health. Therefore, women who notice irregular menstrual cycles should seek medical attention.
What conditions might cause menstrual irregularities?
First, let's understand what constitutes a normal menstrual cycle. Menstruation is the periodic vaginal or uterine bleeding experienced by women. A normal menstrual cycle ranges from 24 to 35 days.A cycle is defined as the period from the first day of one menstrual period to the first day of the next. The normal bleeding phase lasts 3–7 days, with a typical blood loss of 20–60 milliliters. However, if menstrual irregularities occur, heightened vigilance is warranted.
1. Delayed Period
Several factors can cause a delayed period. While pregnancy is often the first possibility considered, experts note that excessive stress or medication misuse can also disrupt endocrine function, leading to delayed menstruation.
2. Light Menstrual Flow
A reduced menstrual flow may signal various gynecological conditions.For instance, conditions like endometrial lesions, tumors, uterine hypoplasia, or endocrine disorders may cause it. Additionally, procedures like abortion or curettage can thin the endometrium, leading to lighter flow. Therefore, if menstrual flow is excessively light, accompanied by severe dysmenorrhea or other abnormal symptoms, women should take it seriously and seek prompt medical attention.
3. Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea may be induced artificially or triggered by certain gynecological conditions. Additionally, prolonged malnutrition and some chronic diseases can also cause amenorrhea. Specifically: Multiple abortions, or excessive force or improper technique during curettage, can mechanically damage the endometrium. This impairs its normal repair and proliferation capabilities, preventing proper shedding and leading to amenorrhea.Adolescent ovarian hypoplasia or ovarian pathologies—such as premature ovarian failure, polycystic ovary syndrome, or ovarian tumors—can also trigger amenorrhea. Chronic malnutrition causes weight loss and reduced body fat content.Regular menstruation requires a certain fat reserve as its foundation. Fat is the primary source of estrogen; only with normal estrogen levels can menstruation occur as scheduled. Therefore, rapid weight loss, reckless dieting, or intense exercise can all trigger amenorrhea.
How to prevent menstrual irregularities?
1. Ancient wisdom advised against washing hair during menstruation, primarily because women's resistance is weakened during this period, making them susceptible to wind pathogens (colds). With the invention of modern hair dryers, it is sufficient to thoroughly dry hair after washing and ensure it is completely dry before going to bed.
2. Avoid swimming, baths, wading in water, or getting caught in the rain, as these may cause cold dampness retention and blood circulation issues. Abstain from sexual intercourse (though this point remains controversial).
3. Maintain body warmth during menstruation. Avoid raw or cold foods (including cold salads, watermelon, coconut juice, and items straight from the refrigerator), vinegar, and cold-natured foods like crabs and snails. These may cause sudden menstrual cessation, prolonged spotting, or increased pain.
4. Avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous exercise to prevent straining the lower abdomen, which may lead to excessive or prolonged bleeding. However, moderate, gentle exercise can relax muscles, promote blood circulation, prevent fluid retention, and stimulate the brain to release endorphins (natural opiates that induce a sense of well-being throughout the body).
5. Avoid smoking and beverages containing alcohol or caffeine. Alcohol exacerbates low mood, headaches, and fatigue while triggering sugar cravings; caffeine intensifies breast tenderness, anxiety, and irritability.Limit salt (to prevent water retention), red meat (animal fats increase estrogen levels, potentially contributing to PMS), dairy intake (lactose hinders magnesium absorption), and all sugars (sweets trigger anxiety and mood swings, cause water retention, and crucially, lead to weight gain). Also reduce processed foods, junk food, and fast food.